Windows Hello

Windows Hello is Microsoft's new biometric security system built into Windows 10. With it you can authenticate your computer using, well, just yourself. Through facial recognition or a fingerprint, you can log in to Windows 10 instantly, authenticate purchases from the Store, and much more in the future.

The facial recognition currently requires the use of an Intel RealSense camera array. Unlike some competing platforms idea of facial recognition, Hello uses IR to capture your face or your Iris. This means that it can't be fooled by someone holding up a picture of you.

"Windows Hello introduces system support for biometric authentication – using your face, iris, or fingerprint to unlock your devices – with technology that is much safer than traditional passwords. You– uniquely you– plus your device are the keys to your Windows experience, apps, data and even websites and services – not a random assortment of letters and numbers that are easily forgotten, hacked, or written down and pinned to a bulletin board. Modern sensors recognize your unique personal characteristics to sign-you-in on a supporting Windows 10 device."

Windows Hello will also be supported on Windows 10 Mobile with the right hardware. The next flagship Lumia smartphones are rumored to have an Iris scanner that would be compatible with the system. There are a number of PCs and laptops with RealSense cameras built in, but for everyone else the only external option is currently the Intel developer kit.